Olympian injured in confrontation with motorist while cycling

CALGARY — A former Olympian can’t fathom the antipathy some motorists have for cyclists after a fellow Olympian was struck by a car Sunday during an afternoon training session.

Biathlete Robin Clegg remains in hospital with a broken elbow and possibly other injuries after a car allegedly tried to run him off the road west of Calgary.

“We were on a wide open road, no traffic. He had all the space in the world to go around us,” said two-time Olympian skier Jason Myslicki.

“If someone is walking their dog on the side of the road, they don’t swerve at them. Why the hatred towards cyclists?”

Clegg, Myslicki and Olympian Sean Crooks were an hour into a three-hour bike ride while training with the Rundle Mountain Cycling Club.

Riding along Township Road 250 near Springbank Airport, a paved street with no shoulder, a vehicle came up from behind honking its horn.

“We put up our arms like ‘what the heck?’ ” Myslicki said.

The car hammered on the brakes in front of the group, essentially blocking the men, he said.

Crooks and Myslicki veered left, but Clegg went right at the same time the car accelerated. He was struck and suffered at least a broken elbow. He underwent surgery Sunday night. Myslicki suspects he may have suffered a broken collarbone and ribs.

The driver, a man in his early 20s, jumped out of his car, and screamed “What the hell are you doing on a road with no shoulder?,” according to Myslicki.

Police arrived at the scene. It was unknown at press time if the driver was charged.

“You know the risk is out there but you don’t want to be the one to back down,” he said.

Clegg represented Canada in biathlon at the last three Winter Olympics, with his best finish being 10th at the 2010 Vancouver edition.

He still trains full-time, and recently got a job in the oil and gas industry.

He’ll be on the shelf for at least 12 weeks with the broken elbow, Myslicki said.